Villalobos found guilty in stabbing death

A 47-year-old San Gabriel man was found guilty Thursday of first-degree murder for the 2008 stabbing death of a Burbank resident.

The jury reached its verdict after a four-week trial and three days of deliberations.

Jorge Villalobos was found guilty in the stabbing death of then-47-year-old Glen Giles, who was found dead on Feb. 26, 2008, on the front porch of his neighbor's home.

Giles, who suffered 32 stab wounds, left a trail of blood from his bedroom, across the street, up his neighbor's driveway and on the doorbell.

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Prosecutors argued that Villalobos was driven by bitterness over a love triangle that included a woman named Christina Ingram.

Prosecutors presented evidence that Villalobos had been “tracking” Giles during the weeks before his death, having called him 18 times in February from a blocked number. The last phone call from Villalobos to Giles was placed at 10:34 p.m. the night before he was found dead.

The Burbank Police Department released a statement Friday that it was “pleased” with the verdict, and expressed “continuing condolences to Giles’ family and hopes that Villalobos’ conviction helps to bring closure to their tragic loss.”

Villalobos is slated to be sentenced next month. He faces 25 years to life in prison.

Villalobos’ attorney James Blatt said his client would be appealing the verdict.

“I maintain there was reasonable doubt in the case. At same time, I respect the efforts made by the Burbank Police Department and the District Attorney’s Office,” Blatt said. “The Villalobos family, although believing that their son and brother did not commit this crime, are deeply saddened by the brutal murder of the victim in this matter.”

Editor's Note: A previous version of this article stated Villalobos is 41-years-old. This is incorrect. He is 47-years-old.